Refuse incinerator

ABSTRACT

A refuse incinerator of the type comprising a central rotating drum of generally truncated-conical shape arranged between a fixed charging compartment and a fixed ash-box. The internal enclosure thereof is at least partly polygonal in cross-section defining, with the external truncated-conical casing of the drum, a corresponding number of independent passages designed to carry combustion air into the enclosure. A distributor is provided which makes it possible to inject this combustion air only the lower portion of the enclosure.

United States Patent 11 1 Bauer et al.

[451 Nov. 12, 1974 1 REFUSE lNClNERATOR [76] Inventors: Felix Bauer, 87,Rue Moncey, Lyon;

Claude Valdenaire, l 1, Rue des Roses, Villeurbanne, both of France 22Filed: May 11,1973

21 App1.No.:359,326

[52] US. Cl 110/14, 432/105, 432/118 [51] Int. Cl. F23g 5/06 [58] Fieldof Search 110/14; 432/105-110, 118

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,238,161 4/1941 Drew et a1.110/14 3,380,407 4/1968 Nilsson 432/109 X 3,682,117 8/1972 Rousseau110/14 Primary E.raminerl(enneth W. Sprague Attorney, Agent, orFirmGoudreau, Gages & Associates 57 ABSTRACT A refuse incinerator of thetype comprising a central rotating drum of generally truncated-conicalshape arranged between a fixed charging compartment and a fixed ash-box.The internal enclosure thereof is at least partly polygonal incross-section defining, with the external truncated-conical casing ofthe drum, a corresponding number of independent passages designed tocarry combustion air into the enclosure. A'

distributor is provided which makes it possible to inject thiscombustion air only the lower portion of the enclosure.

16 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Pmmmmv 12 .914 3.847; 095

, SHEET 20F 7 PATENTEDHHY 12 1914 3.847; 095

SHEET Q 0F 7 mmwnuv 12 1914 3:847; 095

sum 6 OF 7 REFUSE INCINERATOR The present invention relates to anincinerator used to destroy refuse, the incinerator being of the typeThe present invention is concerned with the provi sion of an incineratorin which at least a part of the inside wall of the drum never comes intocontact with the refuse, thereby constituting the arch of a normalfurnace, and in which the refuse is mixed in a highly effective manner.

An incinerator of this kind may also be used for burning liquid orpaste-like products. In this case, the cylindrical part of the enclosureconstitutes the hearth while the semi-hexagonal part forms the arch.Under these circumstances, the combustion air must be injectedtangentially to the surface of the products to be burned and the airmust issue from certain nozzles or injectors only. In order to preventthe injectors not in use from becoming oxidized, it is desirable toretract them into the thickness of the refractory wall of the enclosure.

It is also desirable to be able to control theflow of combustion airissuing from the nozzles or injectors.

In the drawings attached hereto:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an'incinerator according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section along the line III-III in FIG. 2. Inthis figure, II-II is the plane of the section shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing thearrangement of the outlet duct for the burnt gases and the casingforming the inlet for the combustion air;

FIG. 5 shows, to an enlarged scale, the lower part of the rotating jointbetween the drum and the charging compartment;

FIG. 6 is a section along the line IVIV in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the drum diagrammatically in its two extremepositions; a

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a variant of the incinerator according tothe invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views resembling that in FIG. 9, but to a smallerscale and in two other angular positions;

FIG. 12 is a detail, to an enlarged scale, showing a nozzle or injectorin the extended position;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to that in FIG. 12, showing the nozzle orinjector in the retracted position;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are diagrammatic cross-sections of an injector indifferent angular positions.

The incinerator illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises essentially a truncatedconical body or drum 1, the ends of which are associated respectivelywith a charging compartment 2 and an ash-box 3. Drum l is fitted withtwo external peripheral collars 4, 5 resting on rollers 6 in order toallow the drum to rotate. Compartment 2, ashbox 3 and roller units 6 areall stationary and are arranged on a frame 7 consisting of U orI-section beams.

As shown in FIG. 2, drum 1 consists of an external metal casing 8enclosing a refractory wall 9 of substantial thickness made of concreteappropriately cast into the interior of the casing and preferablysurrounded with an insulator 8a. The lower part of this casing is linedwith a partition 10 of semi-hexagonal crosssection. It is to beunderstood that refractory wall 9 follows partly the circular shape ofcasing 8 and partly the semi-hexagonal shape of partition 10. As mayeasily be gathered from the drawings, partition 10 and casing 8 frombetween them three separate passages 11, l2, 13 extending over theentire length of drum 1.

As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, these passages carrythe combustion air which passes into the interior 14 of the drum throughnozzles 15 passing through refractory wall 9, the nozzles containinglongitudinal holes placing each passage 11, 12, 13 in communication withenclosure 14.

Nozzles 15 are distributed over the entire length of drum 1, but onlyfacing passages 11, 12, 13, as shown in FIG. 2.

It will be observed that collar 4 runs between two rollers 16, 17 whichrotate about axes located obliquely in relation to frame 7 and areintegral with a bracket 18. This locates the drum longitudinally when itis caused to rotate, as will be seen hereinafter.

Charging compartment 2 (FIG. 1) is generally spiral in shape and opensvertically upwards into an aperture 19 into which the refuse to beincinerated is loaded. Compartment 2, which is suitable secured to frame7, comprises, like drum 1, a sheet-metal casing 20 lined ,withrefractory concrete 21. A flue 22 (FIG. 4) runs upwardly fromcompartment 2 and then horizontally, where it is connected to a standardsmoke extractor, not shown. Flue 22 is enclosed in a coaxial casing 23in which there is a forced circulation of combustion air directedtowards enclosure 14 in drum 1. The combustion air circulates in casing23 in a direction opposite to the direction of extraction of the smoke(arrows F1 and F2 respectively). Casing 23 opens into enclosure 14through a duct 24 consisting of the central portion of a layer ofrefractory material associated with the internal surface of an elbowpipe 25. Charging compartment 2 opens into drum 1 to which it isconnected by means of a rotary union 26.

The end-wall 27 of ash-box 3 is slightly curved (FIG. 3), substantiallyvertical, and has an ash-discharge duct 28 running obliquely downwardsto the outside. Like drum 1 and compartment 2, the ash-box has a casing29 lined internally with a layer 30 of refractory concrete. End-wall 27has an oblique opening 31 pointing towards the bottom of enclosure 14and containing a gas or fuel burner 32. An inspection door 33 isprovided in duct 28, providing the operator with access to the interiorthereof, should this become necessary.

Ash-box 33, which is secured appropriately to frame 7, is connected tothe relevant end of drum 1 by means of a rotary union 34 of the sametype as union 26 mentioned above.

It will be observed that a cylindrical portion of drum 1 enters ash-box3, the diameter of the drum being identical with that of the outlet ofcharging compartment 2, a deflector 35 being provided'between the twoelements of the incinerator in order to prevent, as far as possible, anyrefuse from reaching the interior of rotary union 26.

As shown in H0. 5, the union 26 comprises a hollow external sleeve 36 ofrectangular cross-section, the interior of which is filled withinsulating material for reasons to be explained hereinafter. One end ofsleeve 36 is connected to casing 20 of charging compartment 2 by meansof sectors 37 (F IG. 1) which are spaced apart in order to provideopenings 38, allowing the interior of union 26 to communicate with theoutside. These openings are closed by means of covers 39. Like sleeve36, sectors 37 and covers 39 are insulated to ensure that union 26 isthermally insulated from the outside. Covers 39 are secured to sectors37 by any appropriate means, for instance by means of bolts, not shown.

Internal surface 360 of sleeve 36 (FIG. is integral with an annularpartition 40 arranged at a certain distance from sectors 37 and thusdefining an annular compartment 41, the function of which will beexplained hereinafter. The edge of sleeve 36 remote from the edgeassociated with sectors 37 is provided with a radial flange 42 in theform of a sheet-metal annulus. The opening of this flange is surroundedwith a neoprene gasket 43, the lip of which bears against the outside ofdrum 1.

Casing 8 of drum 1 carries two hollow collars 44, 45 facing sleeve 36,the interiors of the collars being filled with insulating material. Theperipheries of the collars have U-shaped profiles 46 engaging withidentical profiles on internal surface 36a of sleeve 36. The outersurfaces of collars 44, 45 have profiles 48 in the form of circles ofrectangular cross-section, whereas the internal surfaces of partition 40and flange 42 have similar profiles 49 of the same cross-section butsmaller in diameter. The thicknesses of profiles 48 and 49 are such thatthey constitute baffles between partition 40 and collar 44, on'the onehand, and between flange 42 and collar 45 on the other hand. Profiles 46and 47 also constitute baffles, but without any rotating contact.

Space 50 located between collars 44, 45 and sleeve 36 is connectedappropriately to combustion-air inlet duct 24 (FIG. 4), so that the aircirculates inside union 26, the baffles mentioned above preventing asfar as possible any leakage of this combustion air. Gasket 43, which issubjected to only very slight pressure from the inside, because thecombustion air is held under pressure in the different baffles, preventspractically any loss of this air to the outside. On the other side, anyleakage of combustion air is less of a problem, since it is recovered inthe direction of enclosure 14 by compartment 41.

To the right of space 50, casing 8 of drum 1 is perforated with openings51 (FIG. 6) which open into passages ll, 12, 13. Casing 8 is surroundedexternally by a narrow sleeve 52 exhibiting in its lower portion astraight section 53 having holes 54 of the same size as openings 51 incasing 8. Sleeve 52 is connected to surface 36a of sleeve 36 of sleeve36 by means of spacers 55. The straight section 53 of sleeve 52 hashorizontally flanged edges 56 in which there slides a register 57, thesolid parts of which are designed to shut off holes 54 to a greater orlesser extent. One of the ends of a screw 59 cooperating with astationary nut 60 integral with sleeve 36 is connected to register 57,the other end of the screw being fitted with an operating element suchas a crank 61.

Rotary union 34 between drum 1 and ash-box 3 is, as stated above, of thesame design as union 26, except that it lacks annular space 50 providedto direct combustion air into union 26.

5 The device operates as follows:

The refuse to be incinerated is passed into enclosure 14 throughaperture 19 so that it accumulates in the charging compartment and inthe beginning of the enclosure in drum 1. Burner 31 is then lit in orderto burn the refuse. The smoke thus produced escapes through flue 22. Thecombustion air is passed under pressure to casing 25 surrounding flue22, so that it heats up only slightly at the start of the operation, butas soon as the refuse is well ablaze and the smoke attains a hightemperature, the combustion air may easily reach a temperature above500C.

Drum l rotates on units 6, being caused to execute a reciprocatingmovement by driving means not shown. The amplitude of the movement issuch that each of the passages 11, 12, 13 assumes a horizontal positionconsecutively. Starting from the position shown in FIG. 7, the positionshown in FIG. 8 involves rotation through an angle of about l20.

As a result of the arrangement of holes 54, the combustion aircirculating is space 50 is injected only into the casing located abovesection 53 of sleeve 52, i.e., the section in the lowermost position.The air passes through nozzles 15 in order to promote burning of therefuse.

It will be observed that the partially polygonal profile of internalenclosure 14 of drum 1 makes it possible, when the drum rotates, to turnthe refuse over and thus mix the elements thereof in order to facilitatecombustion. On the other hand, the rounded portion of enclosure 14,which may be likened to the arch of a furnance, is never cooled bycoming into contact with the refuse, and its reflecting action istherefore total. Because of the high temperature of the combustion air,no dew-points occur at the level of nozzles 15. Obviously a certainamount of pure oxygen may be added to the combustion air in order toactivate combustion.

As the refuse burns, ashes are formed, and these pass by gravity towardsash-box 3 from which they are discharged through duct 28.

Any refuse passing under deflector 35 is collected in compartment 41.This refuse may be removed periodically by removing covers 39 located atthe base of rotary union 34. This prevents refuse from impairing thebaffles in this union.

When liquid or paste-like refuse, for example petroleum residues, are tobe incinerated, drum 1 is rotated so that the semi-hexagonal part ofpartition is located above the partially cylindrical part (as shown inFIG. 10). This present the problem of blowing combustion air only fromone or two rows of nozzles or injectors located as closely as possibleto the free surface of the products being burned and located practicallytangentially to the surface. As shown in FIG. 9, only injectors locatedin the two lower rows of the vertical surface of the semi-hexagondeliver combustion air.

Since the furnace has an oscillating movement, as the drum rotates it isnecessary for the combustion air to flow successively from differentrows of nozzles.

Moreover, any nozzles not in use must be protected from oxidation andheating.

Each nozzle 15, therefore, is arranged to move longitudinally so thatthe end thereof lies flush with the internal wall of enclosure 14, thusblocking the bore in which it is located. As shown in FIG. 12, eachnozzle or injector comprises a socket 70 passing through casing 8 andits insulation and thence to the outside of the drum. A part of socket70 has annular grooves parallel with each other forming a rack 71designed to cooperate with a toothed wheel 72 carried on a shaft 73 wall9. The number of shafts 73 corresponds, of course,

to the number of rows of nozzles or injectors 15.

At the same time, it is desirable that the flow of air from each nozzlebe adjustable as a function of the products to be burned, and of theposition of the nozzle in enclosure 14, etc.

In contrast to what has already been illustrated and described, thecombustion air may reach all three passages ll, I2, 13 simultaneously,openings 51 being in direct communication with space 50. In this case,combustion air circulates in each of the passages 11, 12, 13 in aconstant direction, i.e., longitudinally in relation to the drum andfrom charging compartment 2 towards ash-box 3. Combustion-air inletorifice 15c in each nozzle or injector 15 is normally located oppositeflow F of combustion air (FIG. 14). When the nozzles are arranged inthis manner, therefore, the flow of air is at its maximum.

If the nozzles in a row are partially rotated (FIG. 15), orifices 15cchange their positions, moving away from the flow of air F so that theflow of air from these nozzles is reduced. If the nozzle is rotatedthrough 180 from its starting point (FIG. 16), practically no air at allflows.

The rotation of each row of nozzles is effected by means ofa pinion 75keyed to the end of socket 70 and cooperating with a rack 76 movinglongitudinally outside casing 8. It will be understood that the numberof racks corresponds to the number of longitudinal rows of nozzles.

The control mechanisms for shafts 73 and racks 76 have not been shownsince they present no particular problems. Servo-controls may, ofcourse, be used to correlate the movements of shafts 73 and racks 76 tothe angular position of the drum.

We claim:

1. A refuse incinerator comprising: a central rotatable drum having acasing of generally frusto-conical shape; an inner enclosure secured tosaid casing, said enclosure being at least partly polygonal incrosssection and having an internal refractory wall; a loadingcompartment fixed at one end of said drum; an ash-box fixed at the otherend of said drum; said inner enclosure defining with said casing acorresponding number of independent passage means to carry combustionair into said enclosure; and a distributor for injecting said combustionair only into the lower portion of said enclosure.

2. An incinerator according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure presents,in cross-section, a profile consisting of a semi-circle and asemi-hexagon, said drum having a rocking movement of an amplitude suchthat the three surfaces of the semi-hexagon successively assume ahorizontal position.

3. An incinerator according to claim 1, further comprising means toraise said combustion air to a temperature such that the formation of adew point is prevented when said air comes into contact withincandescent refuse.

4. An incinerator according to claim 3, where in said combustion air isreheated by circulation in an inlet casing surrounding the flue allowingthe burned gases to escape and in counter-current to the flow of saidburned gases.

5. An incinerator according to claim 4, said drum and said loadingcompartment being connected by rotary sealing means including an annularspace for the circulation of combustion air and lateral surfacesprovided with successive baffles to retain said combustion air andprevent it from escaping to the outside; and said rotary sealing meansfurther including a refuserecovery compartment located on the outerlateral surface of said means and comprising outer walls and a lowerportion.

6. An incinerator according to claim-5, wherein said refuse-recoverycompartment including means to access inside from outside for cleaningpurposes.

7. An incinerator according to claim 6, wherein said outer walls of saidrotary sealing means located between said drum and said loadingcompartment are heat-insulated.

8. An incinerator according to claim 7, said rotary sealing meansbetween said drum and said loading compartment comprising a fixed sleevelocated opposite said annular space and is provided with openings and,in its lower portion, with perforations to allow combustion air to entereach of said independent passage means carrying said air into saidenclosure.

9. An incinerator according to claim 8, said fixed sleeve comprising aregister to vary the cross-sections of the holes in said fixed sleeve.

10. An incinerator according to claim 1, further comprising a device toadd oxygen to the combustion air.

11. An incinerator according to claim 1, wherein said passage meansinclude injector means; said injector means comprising means foradjusting the flow of combustion air passing therethrough and means forretracting said injector means into the refractory wall of said drum.

12. An incinerator according to claim 11, wherein each injector meanshas a portion located in said passage means, said portion being providedwith an inlet aperture; the end of said injector means, normallyextending into the interior of said enclosure, comprising peripheralholes and a terminal aperture.

13. An incinerator as claimed in claim 11, said means to retract saidinjector means being formed of a mechanism to axially displace theinjector in relation to the inner surface of said refractory wall ofsaid drum.

14. An incinerator as claimed in claim 12, said injector means beingprovided with adjusting means to adjust the flow of combustion air, saidajusting means being formed of a mechanism causing said injector meansto pivot axially to direct the location of said inlet apertures inrelation to the flow of combustion air.

15. An incinerator according to claim 14, wherein saidmechanism consistsof a toothed wheel coaxial 7 8 with each injector means and cooperatingwith a rack of each injector means and cooperating with a drivingarranged along said casing of said drum. toothed wheel carried on alongitudinal shaft arranged 16. An incinerator according to claim 13,said mechon the periphery of said casing of said drum. anism beingformed of a rack located on the periphery

1. A refuse incinerator comprising: a central rotatable drum having acasing of generally frusto-conical shape; an inner enclosure secured tosaid casing, said enclosure being at least partly polygonal incross-section and having an internal refractory wall; a loadingcompartment fixed at one end of said drum; an ash-box fixed at the otherend of said drum; said inner enclosure defining with said casing acorresponding number of independent passage means to carry combustionair into said enclosure; and a distributor for injecting said combustionair only into the lower portion of said enclosure.
 2. An incineratoraccording to claim 1, wherein said enclosure presents, in cross-section,a profile consisting of a semi-circle and a semi-hexagon, said drumhaving a rocking movement of an amplitude such that the three surfacesof the semi-hexagon successively assume a horizontal position.
 3. Anincinerator according to claim 1, further comprising means to raise saidcombustion air to a temperature such that the formation of a dew pointis prevented when said air comes into contact with incandescent refuse.4. An incinerator according to claim 3, where in said combustion air isreheated by circulation in an inlet casing surrounding the flue allowingthe burned gases to escape and in counter-current to the flow of saidburned gases.
 5. An incinerator according to claim 4, said drum and saidloading compartment being connected by rotary sealing means including anannular space for the circulation of combustion air and lateral surfacesprovided with successive baffles to retain said combustion air andprevent it from escaping to the outside; and said rotary sealing meansfurther including a refuse-recovery compartment located on the outerlateral surface of said means and comprising outer walls and a lowerportion.
 6. An incinerator according to claim 5, wherein saidrefuse-recovery compartment including means to access inside fromoutside for cleaning purposes.
 7. An incinerator according to claim 6,wherein said outer walls of said rotary sealing means located betweensaid drum and said loading compartment are heat-insulated.
 8. Anincinerator according to claim 7, said rotary sealing means between saiddrum and said loading compartment comprising a fixed sleeve locatedopposite said annular space and is provided with openings and, in itslower portion, with perforations to allow combustion air to enter eachof said independent passage means carrying said air into said enclosure.9. An incinerator according to claim 8, said fixed sleeve comprising aregister to vary the cross-sections of the holes in said fixed sleeve.10. An incinerator according to claim 1, further comprising a device toadd oxygen to the combustion air.
 11. An incinerator according to claim1, wherein said passage means include inJector means; said injectormeans comprising means for adjusting the flow of combustion air passingtherethrough and means for retracting said injector means into therefractory wall of said drum.
 12. An incinerator according to claim 11,wherein each injector means has a portion located in said passage means,said portion being provided with an inlet aperture; the end of saidinjector means, normally extending into the interior of said enclosure,comprising peripheral holes and a terminal aperture.
 13. An incineratoras claimed in claim 11, said means to retract said injector means beingformed of a mechanism to axially displace the injector in relation tothe inner surface of said refractory wall of said drum.
 14. Anincinerator as claimed in claim 12, said injector means being providedwith adjusting means to adjust the flow of combustion air, said ajustingmeans being formed of a mechanism causing said injector means to pivotaxially to direct the location of said inlet apertures in relation tothe flow of combustion air.
 15. An incinerator according to claim 14,wherein said mechanism consists of a toothed wheel coaxial with eachinjector means and cooperating with a rack arranged along said casing ofsaid drum.
 16. An incinerator according to claim 13, said mechanismbeing formed of a rack located on the periphery of each injector meansand cooperating with a driving toothed wheel carried on a longitudinalshaft arranged on the periphery of said casing of said drum.